Shangri-La Jeddah opened last year in the 64-storey Burj Assila Residences, overlooking Jeddah's corniche and the Red Sea.
The first property in the kingdom to be managed by Shangri-La, it offers 220 rooms, including 55 suites and 17 luxury serviced apartments, all with private balconies. The interiors carry a nautical theme, to reflect the hotel's beachfront positioning.
The welcome
Checking in is straightforward, with two desks operated by young Saudi women located adjacent to the concierge desk.
Most of the people in the lobby are heading to Shang Palace Jeddah, the hotel's Chinese restaurant. With no crowds or queues, the check-in process is swift. Staff are well-informed and friendly, providing plenty of information about the hotel and its facilities.
Checking in at night further emphasises the lobby's dark interiors — creating a slight lull and immediately disconnecting you from the energy outdoors. The lobby interiors feature contemporary grey marble floors and pillars, paired with a mix of dark wood panels. The atmosphere is quiet and serene, with soft music emanating from Copa, a boutique patisserie in the lobby.
The neighbourhood
Driving up the coast towards the hotel, you can take in stunning views of the Red Sea and Jeddah's corniche, which has recently been revamped.
Shangri-La's positioning directly on the corniche is perfect for tourists; Jeddah's Formula One track is a five-minute walk away, public art sculptures by celebrated international artists are dotted alongside a variety of cafes, shops and restaurants.
The corniche is a coastal strip with theme parks, gaming zones and expansive recreational areas where people can cycle, exercise and skateboard. Shangri-La is located next to the Red Sea Mall, one of the largest shopping malls on the west coast of Saudi Arabia.
It also offers views of the Jeddah fountain and is only minutes away from the floating mosque, another top tourist attraction. In the evenings, you can step straight out of the hotel onto the bustling corniche or dine at Shang Palace, which is often buzzing with diners at the weekend.
The room
My deluxe sea view room also looks over the new Formula One track on Jeddah's corniche, via floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony. The 52-square-metre room is cosy enough for two, with a 49-inch smart TV, desk and coffee table. A walk-in closet faces the marble-clad bathroom, which is fitted with a tub and walk-in shower.
The mini bar does not provide many options for kids or adults, but room service has a varied selection of food and drinks.
The interiors are minimal and contemporary, in keeping with the rest of the hotel. If you check in at night, it can be a struggle to achieve optimal lighting levels in the room, which is dimly lit yet beautifully replenished by sunlight during the day.
The service
Fifty per cent of the team is made up of Saudi nationals, including 63 women.
Checkout is quick and easy. However, it may be worth taking time to enjoy a coffee at Copa for those who wish to make the most of their rest and relaxation time by allowing the concierge team to load up the car.
It's easy to find transport to and from the hotel, using local taxis or transport apps.
The scene
Shangri-La's prime location allows guests to instantly connect with the palpable energy of Jeddah’s corniche.
The hotel's management is keen to align its mission with Saudi Vision 2030, which is apparent in the presence of Saudi staff, particularly women welcoming guests at the front desk. In this way, Shangri-La represents the changing landscape of the kingdom.
The newly opened Shang Palace is already popular among locals, while KAIA, the hotel's open-air pool terrace, is positioning itself as the city's next hotspot. It has live DJ performances and offers a variety of snacks, from sushi to nachos and speciality drinks.
Business and leisure travellers have access to state-of-the-art Technogym equipment in the gym, as well as a spa, jacuzzi, steam room, children's club for little ones and meeting rooms.
The food
Copa offers high tea, as well as coffee and artisanal chocolate pairings in the lobby. Waterfront Kitchen is the hotel's all-day dining buffet restaurant, offering a range of Mediterranean and Asian dishes, with live cooking stations, including shawarma, a Mongolian grill, a wood-fired pizza oven, a seafood counter, tandoor and Asian favourites.
Shang Palace is open and operating at full capacity at the weekend. When we visit during a service in full swing, packed, service is fast and the atmosphere is buzzing and lively. Shang Palace has Michelin-starred outposts in Singapore and Paris, and a total of 38 restaurants around the world serving its old-time Cantonese classics such as Peking duck and stir-fried wok dishes brimming with rich Chinese flavours. The restaurant's popular dim sum brunch is priced at SR188 ($50) and offers a main course and dessert in addition to unlimited dim sum.
Staff members are a mix of different nationalities with great knowledge of the menu. Sanjin Dilaver, the restaurant's manager, pops over to guests to ensure they are "more than just satisfied".
Highs and lows
The location is a winner for Shangri-La as it offers beautiful uninterrupted views of the Jeddah waterfront and is close to a host of restaurants, as well as the Red Sea Mall. The best offering is Shang Palace for hospitality and food. A plus for fitness enthusiasts is having the gym and spa that offers rejuvenating experiences including a Moroccan hammam for men and anti-ageing diamond life infusion facial treatment for women.
Even though rooms provide privacy, the interiors can seem dark and gloomy at night on account of the dim lighting, inspiring us to step out and soak in the energy of the city. The hotel is the complete opposite in the day – flooded with natural sunlight.
Being a city hotel, it is more suited to business or leisure travellers as opposed to a staycation destination for locals.
The insider tip
Valet parking for hotel guests, no matter how long you are staying, is chargeable. It is recommended that you make reservations at Shang Palace as the restaurant is full during the weekend.
The bottom line
Guest rooms fall into two main categories, superior and deluxe sea view, which start from $358 per night, including taxes. There are also one and two-bedroom apartment suites and a royal suite. Check-in is from 2pm and checkout is at noon.
Shangri-La hotel, Jeddah, Makkah Province, www.shangri-la.com/en/jeddah
- This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel.
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
THE%C2%A0SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204-cylinder%202.5-litre%20%2F%202-litre%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20188hp%20%2F%20248hp%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20244Nm%20%2F%20370Nm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%207-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20now%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh110%2C000%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
The biog
Born November 11, 1948
Education: BA, English Language and Literature, Cairo University
Family: Four brothers, seven sisters, two daughters, 42 and 39, two sons, 43 and 35, and 15 grandchildren
Hobbies: Reading and traveling
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Switzerland, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Lord Giltters, Adrie de Vries, David O’Meara
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Land Of Legends, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
10pm Dubai Dash Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner Equilateral, Frankie Dettori, Charles Hills.
Background: Chemical Weapons
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
